Creffield and the Holy Rollers made page one headlines from 1903 to 1907. When I was researching Holy Rollers: Murder and Madness in Oregon’s Love Cult I spent months transcribing hundreds of articles. I’m not sure why I was so obsessive. Maybe it was my way of immersing my self into a cult without joining one. Anyway, I’m posting them all for those who are really interested in the story, or are interested the history of journalism, or are interested in how a scandalous story played out in the "media" in a by gone era. Since I no doubt made typos and unconsciously corrected papers' typos, these web pages should not be cited in anything serious (e.g. your dissertation). For such projects they should only be used as starting points and you should refer to the original sources. If you want a shorter version of the story, buy my book. Enjoy.
December 8, 1903: Hurt Seen In Portland
Brighid Thomas, Tim Crabtree & Erin McGarry
as Esther, Perry & Phoebe Mitchell
Oregon Daily Journal (Portland) 12/8/1903 p9
“Holy Roller” Hurt Seen In Portland
A strict watch is being kept
in the vicinity of the home of the Boys and Girls’ Aid society for Frank Hurt,
son of O. V. Hurt of Corvallis, who drove the “Holy Roller prophets from his
home. The young man appeared a few days ago and attempted to see Esther Taylor,
one of the “Holy Rollers” who has been at the home for several weeks.
Miss Taylor is 16 years of
age and has been suffering from hysteria caused by her association with the
peculiar sect. Sunday, Hurt attempted to speak to the girl as she was on her
way with other girls to the Third Presbyterian church. Although refused
permission to talk to Miss Taylor, he admonished her to “keep on victory’s
side.” When she reached the church the girl was greatly excited and asked to
testify. She talked ramblingly and said she intended to lead a better life.
When the elder Hurt ejected
the sect from his home, his son and Creffield, the leader of the “Holy Rollers”
disappeared. The first seen of young Hurt was when he appeared in the
neighborhood of the home last week. He has not been seen since Sunday. Miss
Taylor is gradually regaining control of herself.
Corvallis Gazette 12/8/1903 p3
Warren B. Hartley went to
Eugene yesterday and expects to be gone a couple of weeks.
Lewis Hartley left Wednesday
for an Eastern trip. he will return about the first of the year.
Corvallis Gazette 12/15/1903 p3
An Athletic club has been
organized in Corvallis for the benefit of clerks, business men and others. The
old Salvation Army Hall at the corner of Main and Jackson streets has been
fitted up with bars, punching bags, rings and other athletic contrivances. At a
meeting some time ago J. J. McHenry was elected manager and Byron Taylor
secretary. The membership fee is $1 per month and the enrollment reaches nearly
fifty members.
Corvallis Times 12/16/1903 p3
James Berry arrived Saturday
from a trip to Hoquiam and Aberdeen, Washington.
Corvallis Times 12/2/1903 p2
To Telephone Patrons
New Telephones and Change of old Number
NEW TELEPHONES
(Thirty numbers are listed)
DISCONNTED
Four numbers are listed,
including:
Main 174--Hurt, O. V.
Corvallis Times 12/09/1903 p3
O.V. Hurt has returned to his
old position in Kline’s store. He arrived from a week’s business trip to
Portland.
Corvallis Gazette 12/29/1903 p3
Lewis Hartley returned from
his Eastern trip Saturday. He leaves for Eugene today for a few days stay.
Chapter of Holy Rollers where these articles are some of the sources:
Chapter 7: Esther, The Chosen One
***
December 7, 1903: Demented Woman
Suffers
December 11, 1903: Holy Rollers Roll Into Eugene Church
***
Newspaper Articles about Creffield & the Holy Rollers
1897-1903: B.C. (Before Creffield)
October to December 1903:Holy Rollers Burn Furniture & Pets
January to March, 1904: Holy Rollers Tarred and Feathered
April to June 1904: Holy Rollers are Committed to the Asylum
July 1904: Creffield is Found & Arrested
September 1904: Creffield's Trial
April 1906: Men are Gunning For Creffield
May 1906: Creffield is Murdered, Murderer is Considered a Hero
May 1906: Holy Rollers Found Starving Near Heceta Head
June 1906: George Mitchell's Trial Begins
July 1906: Hurt Testifies of Debauched Wife and Debased Sisters
July 1906: Esther Mitchell Kills Her Brother
August to October 1906: Seattle Prepares for another Big Trial
November 1906: Maud Hurt Creffield Commits Suicide
April 1909-August 1914: Esther Leaves the Asylum
1953 Stewart Holbrook's Murder Without Tears
1951Startling Detective Magazine, Nemesis of the Nudist High Priest
***
Chapters from
Holy Rollers: Murder & Madness in Oregon's Love Cult
Part 1: The Seduction
Chapter 1: Trust Me, Brothers And Sisters
(Life Before Creffield [B.C.])
Chapter 2: God, Save Us From Compromising Preachers
(Creffield's Preachings)
Chapter 3: The Flock
(Profiles of the Holy Rollers Were)
Chapter 4: The Holy Rollers
(Things Start to Get Wild on on Kiger Island)
Chapter 5: Housecleaning
(There's a Sacrificial Bonfire)
Chapter 6: Community Concerns
(Officers Visit)
Chapter 7: Esther, The Chosen One
(Creffield Plans to Marry 16-Year- Old)
Chapter 8: Tar and Feathers
(The Men of Corvallis Act)
Chapter 9: Sane People Don’t Go Bareheaded
(Holy Rollers are Committed to the Asylum)
Chapter 10: More Beast Than Man
( Creffield is Arrested)
Chapter 11: God Will Plead Creffield's Case
(Creffield in Court)
Chapter 12: Scandal
(Shocking Testimony at the Trial)
Chapter 13: Calm Before the Storm
(The Holy Rollers Resume their Lives)
Chapter 14: Giving Up The Ghost
(Men are Gunning for Creffield)
Part Two: The People V. Creffield
Chapter 16: The Widow Creffield
Chapter 19: An Inherited Streak of Insanity
Part Three: The Madness
Chapter 23: Seeking Reconciliation
Chapter 24: Another Holy Roller Page One Murder
Chapter 25: What Can Papa Do For You?
Chapter 26: Human Life is Too Cheap In This Community
Chapter 30: The Final Chapter
(What Happened to Everyone Afterwards)
The Epilogue
(Heaven's Gate)